Geelani calls for boycott of upcoming by-elections

Srinagar, March 06: Hurriyat Conference (g) chairperson, Syed Ali Geelani on Monday urged people to boycott upcoming by-elections. He was telephonically addressing people at Tral, who had assembled to offer Nimaz-e-Jinaza of slain militant, Aaqib Ahmad Bhat. Aaqib was killed along-with another militant during a gunfight with forces on Sunday.
“It (participating in elections) provides Indian leadership an opportunity to mislead world community,” Geelani said and added “The few people who vote in election dramas were not only committing an act of treason, their actions were also acting as oxygen for the Indian occupation of Kashmir.”
Geelani said that taking part in election process tantamount “to betrayal with the sacred blood of martyrs”. He said, “Any sort of participation in elections would prolong our struggle for freedom”.
Geelani said that any flaw or any type of support to “puppets” was misrepresented in international flora by New Delhi.
While referring to huge participation of people in slain militant’s funerals, Geelani said that it should serve as an eye opener for India and let it realize that it has virtually lost its battle and “enacting election dramas won’t serve any purpose”.
Referring to slain youth, Geelani said that most of those “sacrificing” their lives are highly educated and committed with “right cause”. “We are duty bound to safe guard their sacrifices and refrain from activities which may prove counterproductive for our movement,” Geelani added.
Pertinently, by-elections for Parliamentary seats of south and central Kashmir are due this year.